Flying

From UnknowableWiki

Flying classes are mandatory broomstick-riding lessons for all first-year Hogwarts students. Classes are held in the grounds outside the castle, and students fly on school broomsticks. During Harry's years at Hogwarts, the teacher is Madam Hooch, who also referees most Quidditch matches at the school.

In the Trio's first lesson, Hooch teaches the students how to mount a broomstick—"Stick your right hand over your broom, and say, 'Up!'"—even though some of them, like Draco Malfoy, claim that they already know how to fly. Most students have issues getting their broomsticks to rise, notably Neville and Hermione; Harry is one of the few who succeed immediately.

Hooch criticises Draco's flying technique, and teaches them all the correct grip a flier must have on the broomstick. After all the students manage to mount their brooms, Hooch orders them to hover briefly a few feet from the ground.

However, Neville is nervous, and inadvertently pushes off earlier than he is supposed to; he flies very high, falls off the broomstick and breaks his wrist. Hooch leaves the grounds to take him to the hospital wing, and commands students not to attempt flying on their own—or else she will have them expelled.

Draco seizes the Remembrall that slipped off Neville's pocket and starts toying with it. Harry attempts to get it from him, and Draco decides to leave it at the top of a nearby oak tree. He flies there, and Harry, ignoring Hooch's warning, follows suit.

Malfoy is surprised by Harry's flying skills, and decides to throw the Remembrall as far as he can so that the Gryffindor will not get it. Harry performs a spectacular catch; Minerva McGonagall sees it, and decides to get Harry into the House Quidditch team, guessing that he would be a good Seeker (PS9).